Shower Valve Replacement Kit

ABSTRACT

A shower valve replacement kit includes a plate that is circumferentially larger than a penetration in a wall though which an existing valve is accessible. A plurality of couplers is configured to couple the plate to the wall to cover the penetration. A pair of first connectors and a second connector are coupled to and in fluidic communication with a valve that is coupled to a back of the plate. Each first connector is configured to couple to a respective one of hot and cold lines to supply hot and cold water to the valve. The second connector is configured to couple to a first tube that extends from a first water dispenser. A knob that is operationally coupled to the valve is configured to be rotated by a user to actuate the valve to selectively supply the hot and cold water to the first water dispenser.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM.

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention (2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The disclosure and prior art relates to valve replacement kits and more particularly pertains to a new valve replacement kit for showers and tubs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a plate that is circumferentially larger than a penetration in a wall though which an existing valve is accessible. A plurality of couplers is configured to couple the plate to the wall to cover the penetration. A pair of first connectors and a second connector are coupled to and in fluidic communication with a valve that is coupled to a back of the plate. Each first connector is configured to couple to a respective one of hot and cold lines to supply hot and cold water to the valve. The second connector is configured to couple to a first tube that extends from a first water dispenser. A knob that is operationally coupled to the valve is configured to be rotated by a user to actuate the valve to selectively supply the hot and cold water to the first water dispenser.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a shower valve replacement kit according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new valve replacement kit embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the shower valve replacement kit 10 generally comprises a plate 12 that is circumferentially larger than a penetration in a wall though which an existing valve is accessible. The plate 12 is substantially circularly shaped when viewed from a front 14 of the plate 12. Each of a pair of tabs 16 is coupled to and extends from a respective opposing side 18 of the plate 12.

A plurality of couplers 20 is coupled to the plate 12. The couplers 20 are configured to couple the plate 12 to the wall so that the plate 12 covers the penetration. The plurality of couplers 20 comprises two couplers 20 that are positioned singly proximate to a top 22 and a bottom 24 of the plate 12. The plurality of couplers 20 also comprises two couplers 20 that are positioned singly in each tab 16. Each coupler 20 comprises a hole 26, as shown in FIG. 4, that is configured to insert a respective item of mounting hardware, such as a screw or a bolt, to couple the plate 12 to the wall.

A valve 28 is coupled to a back of the plate 12, as shown in FIG. 2. A pair of first connectors 30 and a second connector 32 are coupled to the valve 28. The first connectors 30 and the second connector 32 are in fluidic communication with the valve 28. Each first connector 30 is configured to couple to a respective one of a hot-water line and a cold-water line to supply hot water and cold water to the valve 28. The second connector 32 is configured to couple to a first tube that extends from a first water dispenser, such as a shower head and a tub spout. The valve 28 is positioned to selectively supply the hot water and the cold water to the first water dispenser. The first connectors 30 and the second connector 32 are compression fitting type, as shown in FIG. 2.

A tube connector 34 is coupled to the valve 28, as shown in FIG. 2. The tube connector 34 is in fluidic communication with the valve 28. The tube connector 34 is configured to couple to a second tube that extends from a second water dispense, such as the shower head and the tub spout. The valve 28 is positioned to selectively supply the hot water and the cold water to the second water dispenser. The tube connector 34 is compression fitting type, as shown in FIG. 2.

The kit 10 also comprises a set of three first hoses 36, as shown in FIG. 3. Each of a set of three hose connectors 38 is coupled to a first end 40 of a respective first hose 36. Each hose connector 38 is configured to couple to a respective one of the hot-water line, the cold-water line, and the first tube. A second end 42 of the respective first hose 36 is positioned to couple to an associated first connector 30 to fluidically couple the valve 28 to the respective one of the hot-water line, the cold-water line, and the first tube. The first hoses 36 are braided stainless steel plastic type. Each hose connector 38 is compression fitting type.

The kit 10 also comprises a second hose 44 that is substantially equivalent in length to a distance between the penetration in the wall and an orifice in the wall that is adjacent to the second water dispenser, as shown in FIG. 5. The second hose 44 is braided stainless steel plastic type.

A pipe 46 is coupled to and extends perpendicularly from a first terminus 48 of the second hose 44. The pipe 46 is externally threaded. A ring 50 threadedly coupled to the pipe 46. A second terminus 52 of the second hose 44 is positioned to couple to the tube connector 34 so that the second hose 44 is fluidically coupled to the valve 28. The second hose 44 is positioned for insertion into the penetration in the wall to position the pipe 46 through the orifice in the wall. The ring 50 is configured to abut an interior face of the wall. The pipe 46 is configured to threadedly couple to the second water dispenser so that the valve 28 is in fluidic communication with the water dispenser and so that the second water dispenser is coupled to the wall.

A knob 54 is operationally coupled to the valve 28 and is positioned on the front 14 of the plate 12, as shown in FIG. 5. The knob 54 is configured to be rotated by action of a hand of a user to actuate the valve 28 to selectively supply the hot water and the cold water to the first water dispenser and the second water dispenser.

In use, the defective valve is decoupled from the hot-water line, the cold-water line, the first tube, and the second tube, and then extracted through the penetration in the wall. The three hose connectors 38 are coupled singly to the hot-water line, the cold-water line, and the first tube that extends from the shower head. The second ends 42 of the first hoses 36 are coupled to their corresponding first connectors 30 on the valve 28. The second terminus 52 of the second hose 44 is coupled to the tube connector 34 on the valve 28. The second hose 44 and the first hoses 36, followed by the valve 28, are inserted into the penetration in the wall. The pipe 46 is positioned through the orifice in the wall. The ring 50 abuts the interior face of the wall so that the pipe 46 is configured to threadedly couple to the tub spout. The couplers 20 are used to couple the plate 12 to the wall so that the plate 12 covers the penetration. The knob 54 can be rotated to actuate the valve 28 to selectively supply the hot water and the cold water to the first water dispenser and the second water dispenser.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

I claim:
 1. A shower valve replacement kit comprising: a plate circumferentially larger than a penetration in a wall though which an existing valve is accessible; a plurality of couplers coupled to said plate, said couplers being configured for coupling said plate to the wall such that said plate covers the penetration; a valve coupled to a back of said plate; a pair of first connectors coupled to said valve such that each said first connector is in fluidic communication with said valve, each said first connector being configured for coupling to a respective one of a hot-water line and a cold-water line for supplying hot water and cold water to said valve; a second connector coupled to said valve such that said second connector is in fluidic communication with said valve, said second connector being configured for coupling to a first tube extending from a first water dispenser positioning said valve for selectively supplying the hot water and the cold water to the first water dispenser; and a knob operationally coupled to said valve, said knob being positioned on a front of said plate wherein said knob is configured for rotating by action of a hand of a user for actuating said valve for selectively supplying the hot water and the cold water to the first water dispenser.
 2. The kit of claim 1, further including said plate being substantially circularly shaped when viewed from said front of said plate.
 3. The kit of claim 1, further including said plurality of couplers comprising two said couplers positioned singly proximate to a top and a bottom of said plate.
 4. The kit of claim 1, further comprising: a pair of tabs, each said tab being coupled to and extending from a respective opposing side said plate; and said plurality of couplers comprising two said couplers positioned singly in each said tab.
 5. The kit of claim 1, further including each said coupler comprising a hole configured for inserting a respective item of mounting hardware for coupling said plate to the wall.
 6. The kit of claim 1, further comprising: each said first connector being compression fitting type; and said second connector being compression fitting type.
 7. The kit of claim 1, further including a tube connector coupled to said valve such that said tube connector is in fluidic communication with said valve, said tube connector being configured for coupling to a second tube extending from a second water dispenser wherein said knob is configured for rotating by action of the hand of the user for actuating said valve for selectively supplying the hot water and the cold water to the second water dispenser.
 8. The kit of claim 7, further including said tube connector being compression fitting type.
 9. The kit of claim 1, further comprising: a set of three first hoses; and a set of three hose connectors, each said hose connector being coupled to a first end of a respective said first hose, wherein each said hose connector is configured for coupling to a respective one of the hot-water line, the cold-water line and the first tube positioning a second end of said respective said first hose for coupling to an associated said first connector for fluidically coupling said valve to the respective one of the hot-water line, the cold-water line, and the first tube.
 10. The kit of claim 9, further including said first hoses being braided stainless steel plastic type.
 11. The kit of claim 9, further including each said hose connector being compression fitting type.
 12. The kit of claim 9, further comprising: a second hose substantially equivalent in length to a distance between the penetration in the wall and an orifice in the wall adjacent to the second water dispenser; a pipe coupled to and extending perpendicularly from a first terminus of said second hose, said pipe being externally threaded; and a ring threadedly coupled to said pipe, wherein a second terminus of said second hose is positioned for coupling to said tube connector such that said second hose is fluidically coupled to said valve, positioning said second hose for insertion into the penetration in the wall for positioning said pipe through the orifice in the wall such that said ring is configured for abutting an interior face of the wall wherein said pipe is configured for threadedly coupling to the second water dispenser such that said valve is in fluidic communication with the water dispenser and wherein the second water dispenser is coupled to the wall.
 13. The kit of claim 12, further including said second hose being braided stainless steel plastic type.
 14. A shower valve replacement kit comprising: a plate circumferentially larger than a penetration in a wall though which an existing valve is accessible, said plate being substantially circularly shaped when viewed from a front of said plate; a pair of tabs, each said tab being coupled to and extending from a respective opposing side said plate; a plurality of couplers coupled to said plate, said couplers being configured for coupling said plate to the wall such that said plate covers the penetration, said plurality of couplers comprising two said couplers positioned singly proximate to a top and a bottom of said plate, said plurality of couplers comprising two said couplers positioned singly in each said tab, each said coupler comprising a hole configured for inserting a respective item of mounting hardware for coupling said plate to the wall; a valve coupled to a back of said plate; a pair of first connectors coupled to said valve such that each said first connector is in fluidic communication with said valve, each said first connector being configured for coupling to a respective one of a hot-water line and a cold-water line for supplying hot water and cold water to said valve, each said first connector being compression fitting type; a second connector coupled to said valve such that said second connector is in fluidic communication with said valve, said second connector being configured for coupling to a first tube extending from a first water dispenser positioning said valve for selectively supplying the hot water and the cold water to the first water dispenser, said second connector being compression fitting type; a tube connector coupled to said valve such that said tube connector is in fluidic communication with said valve, said tube connector being configured for coupling to a second tube extending from a second water dispenser positioning said valve for selectively supplying the hot water and the cold water to the second water dispenser, said tube connector being compression fitting type; a set of three first hoses, said first hoses being braided stainless steel plastic type; a set of three hose connectors, each said hose connector being coupled to a first end of a respective said first hose, wherein each said hose connector is configured for coupling to a respective one of the hot-water line, the cold-water line and the first tube positioning a second end of said respective said first hose for coupling to an associated said first connector for fluidically coupling said valve to the respective one of the hot-water line, the cold-water line, and the first tube, each said hose connector being compression fitting type; a second hose substantially equivalent in length to a distance between the penetration in the wall and an orifice in the wall adjacent to the second water dispenser, said second hose being braided stainless steel plastic type; a pipe coupled to and extending perpendicularly from a first terminus of said second hose, said pipe being externally threaded; a ring threadedly coupled to said pipe, wherein a second terminus of said second hose is positioned for coupling to said tube connector such that said second hose is fluidically coupled to said valve, positioning said second hose for insertion into the penetration in the wall for positioning said pipe through the orifice in the wall such that said ring is configured for abutting an interior face of the wall wherein said pipe is configured for threadedly coupling to the second water dispenser such that said valve is in fluidic communication with the water dispenser and wherein the second water dispenser is coupled to the wall; and a knob operationally coupled to said valve, said knob being positioned on said front of said plate wherein said knob is configured for rotating by action of a hand of a user for actuating said valve for selectively supplying the hot water and the cold water to the first water dispenser and the second water dispenser. 